Lamp starting device



1 1934- H. M. ERDMANN I LAMP STARTING DEVICE Filed Jan. 18, 1950 H AN 5 m ERDM A N INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented 11 1934 g umrso STATES PATENT orrica LAMP STARTING DEVIGE l d. Erdmann, New York. N. Y.,' or to Ne- V i Corporation, New York, N. Y., a corporation of New York Application January 18,- l930, Serial No. 421,679

- 2 Claims. (Cl. 176-45) This invention relates to starting devices for controlswitch 8. Whenthe switch 6 is closed, mercury arc lamps and similar apparatus. current passes from a source 2 through a con- It is an object of my invention to provide ductor 7, contacts 8 of amercury switch 9, ballast a starting means for mercury arc lamps or similar resistance 10, contacts ll of a mercury switch electrical discharge devices, which is so arranged 12, and inductance 5, back to the other side 02. 5 as to start operation or the lamp and then rethe line. This current causes the core 13 of 1 main inoperative until it is intentionally made the inductance to be energized, thereby attract= operative again. ing to the core armature it. This movement of In the production of talking moving pictures the armature tilts the mercury switch 12, thereby is important to have, as nearly as possible, breaking the circuit between contacts 11. 1

a complete absence of all unnecessary noises and breakag f the circuit causes a surge of potential electrical disturbances. Mercury arc lamps to be generated by the inductance 5, which surge equipped with starting devices of the type known p sses t t tu hereby ionizing the 8 heretofore are unsuitable for use in the productherein or vapor the mercury d m ti tion of talking pictures because when one of the a discharge mllg 15 lamps becomes extinguished, the starting device Immediately after the closure of the control thereof immediately starts to function so as to w h 6 h current al 1 1 h h reignite the lamp, thereby producing a clicking nd r i, a ma n t il 1 and balla 1' noise. The noise produced by the ordinary startsistance 16, back to the other side of the line,

mg device is mmons to cause serious thereby causing gnetization of core 1'? of the 20 turbance, which will be made part of the sound agnet. This magnetization causes t e armarecord. Likewise, when the starting devi turc 18 to be attracted to the core, whereby the serves to create a momentary high potential contacts 8 of switch 9 are broken and iurther starting current,- this starting current caus a operation of the starting mechanism or the p disturbance in the recording of the sound if an i pr v 25 electrical process is being used. This recording In order that the breakage of the contacts 8 is usually carried out by electrical recording apwill not occur too rapidly as dashpot i9 is furparatus, including a high power amplifier which nished, which permits the armature it to move serves to ampliiy the sound currents picked up wards cor 17 wly- Th hp m y be of through microphones. These amplifiers are anywell-known type and may be P v w 30 suficiently powerful to pick up the disturbing t usual form of regulator, so h the time electrical waves as well, thereby impressing on ing which the contacts 8 remain closed after the the recording medium an undesired noise. closure oi the control switch 6, may be regulated In accordance with my invention I provide to allow a suflicient operatin in rv l for the means responsive to the initiation of operation starting mechanismto create a discharge through 35 of the lamp to render inactive the starting mechthe tube 1. g

n thereof so that if the lamp later becomes While I have shown merc ry type switches at extinguished, the starting device will be unable 9 and 12, it will be understood that any other to function. The lamp will therefore remain type may be used if desired, it merely being nec-v at an opportune moment. I accomplish this sumcient tilting of the armatures18 and 14, reresult by providing relay means which serves spectively. The function of the resistances 10 to open the energizing circuit of the starting and 16 is to limit the current through their redevice upon the creation of a self-sustained disvspective circuits, to the desired value. Condens- 45 charge through the tube.

The objects and advantages of my invention thereby increase the potential generated by in and the manner of attaining them will be made ductance 5. A similar condenser 20 may be cone clear in the following description and accomnected across contacts 8 to prevent arcing thereof. panying drawing. While but a single lamp is shown in the drawing unlit until it is manually restored to operation essary that the contacts 8 and 11 be broken upon 40 er 19 serves to prevent arcing at contacts 11 and In the drawing, reference numeral 1 indicates several lamps might be controlled by a single time 50 a mercury arc tube or similar electrical discharge controlled switch 9. In this case each of the sevdevice requiring a high starting potential, which eral starting mechanisms would be so connected is adapted to be energized from a source oi power as to have its operating circuit broken by switch 9. 2 through conductors 3 and 4. Placed in series It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that 66 with the 1 is an inductance coil-'15 and a the invention'is capable of awide variety oi modterval from the closing of the switch of the power source and maintaining said starting device inoperative while said switch from said power source is closed, whether said lamp is operating or not operating, said starting device being again operable only upon the disconnection and reconnection of the p with said source of power.

masses 2. In a lighting circuit, a lamp. a power source therefor, a switch for said power source, a start- \ing device for said lamp, and mechanical time controlled means ior rendering said starting device inoperative after the expiration of a 1 short time interval irom the closing of the switch of the power source, said mechanical time controlled means being, operated by a coil connected in parallel with said power source and maintaining said starting device inoperative while said switch from said power source is closed, whether said lamp is operating 'or not operating, said starting device being again operable only upon the disconnection and reconnection oi the lamp with said source of power. 

